Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. Never will.

A/N: This is an alternate ending to The Journal. It takes place right before Arnold finds the map.

The Map LOVforiij

Arnold sat on the front steps to the boarding house with his father's journal open on his lap. His parents' disappearance had haunted him for as long as he could remember. He had had to rely on his grandpa's stories without being sure how accurate they were. Now Arnold held in his hands the proof of who his parents were and what their lives were like. He had learned so much about them today.

"Hey, Arnold."

"Oh, hi, Helga. You guys have fun?" Arnold said after he turned his head in her direction.

"You bet we did. You sure missed out today, Football Head!" she said smiling. The smile died on her lips when she noticed his sad expression. "You okay, Arnold?"

"I'm fine."

"You could have fooled me with the way you've been moping around the past few." she trailed off. 'Why must I keep doing that?!' she asked herself. "Hey, what do you have there?" she said, changing the subject as she sat down next to him. When he leaned closer to give her a better view, she had to fight the urge to swoon.

"It was my father's journal. I found it today when I was.when I was up in the attic," he explained. He looked up and caught her staring at him. Their eyes locked and they held each other's gaze for a few seconds before Helga mentally shook herself.

"That's really cool, Arnold. Can I look at it?" she asked and her fingers brushed his when she reached for it.

"Sure," Arnold said, as somewhat of an afterthought. "You think it's cool?"

"Definitely. If I didn't know my parents, I'd give anything to learn about them. Well, that is if they were worth knowing. Mine certainly aren't."

"That's not true, Helga."

"I wish," she said sadly as she flipped through the pages of the journal. The last two pages seemed to be stuck together. She pulled the pages apart carefully. "Arnold, look at this."

"Is that a map?"

"Looks like it."

"Do you know what this means? That could be the map they used on their last mission. We could find them! Grandpa! Grandma! I found a map!" he exclaimed as he grabbed the journal and ran inside. Helga stood up from the stoop and stared in the doorway after him, more than a little confused.

A few seconds later, Arnold came running back outside. He stopped about a foot in front of Helga and shifted uncomfortably for a few seconds before hugging her around the waist. He pulled back and looked up at her shocked face. He smiled mischievously and then kissed her square on the lips. "Thanks, Helga. Grandpa! Grandma!" he yelled as he ran back inside.

Fin